The Vatican's newly launched athletics team in St Peter's Square in The Vatican City. Photo: AP

By Michael Pavitt |

The Vatican has launched its first sporting association with the intention of competing in athletics events in the future, although a number of major hurdles remain before it could compete in international competitions.

The team was launched as Athletics Vatican following a bilateral agreement with the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).

CONI President and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Giovanni Malagò was present at the Vatican for the event.

He spoke along with Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture, and Italian Paralympic Committee President Luca Pancalli.

Melchor José Sánchez de Toca y Alameda, the under-secretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture and President of Athletics Vatican, helped to launch the event with team representative Michela Ciprietti.

“The dream that we have often had is to see the Holy See flag among the delegations at the opening of the Olympic Games,” Melchor José Sánchez de Toca y Alameda told the Vatican News.

The development of the association has raised the potential for the Vatican to compete at international events, although the team is expected to mainly participate in non-competitive runs.

To compete internationally, Vatican Athletics would need to become a member of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

The IAAF confirmed it had yet to receive an application and the Vatican would have to undergo normal membership processes and meet all criteria should it apply.

“The IAAF applauds the Vatican’s support for athletics and its long-standing promotion of sport more generally as a key contributor to peace and solidarity around the world,” an IAAF spokesperson told insidethegames.

Similarly the Vatican would also have to become an IOC member to be able to compete at the Olympics.

“The Vatican does not have an National Olympic Committee and so therefore could not compete at the Olympic Games,” an IOC spokesperson told insidethegames.

The Vatican would need to meet a series of criteria under the Olympic Charter to become an IOC member.

It would have to provide proof that National Federations conduct sports activities in its country and internationally.

At least five governing bodies in the NOC would also need to be affiliated to the International Federations governing sports included in the program of the Olympic Games.

The Vatican is a recognized independent state, despite not having membership of the United Nations.

While Olympic inclusion appears a long way off, the Vatican is reportedly considering the possibility of seeking to compete at the Games of the Small States of Europe in the future.

European Athletics President Svein Arne Hansen has tweeted his support to potential membership of the Vatican.

“I have already met the Vatican Athletics Team with Atletica Italia President Alfio Giomi and subject to meeting all requirements would warmly welcome them into the Euro Athletics family,” he said.

It is claimed the agreement with CONI will allow the Vatican to compete at national and international sanctioned events.

Access to Italian national coaches and facilities is also set to be granted.

“It will be necessary to affiliate with other Federations,” Malago told Vatican News.

“I’m sure this will happen, today we have started a courageous and winning start up.”

The CONI agreement allows the team to take part in national and internationally sanctioned events and to have access to Italian national coaching and medical facilities.

The Vatican currently have a cricket and football team.

The cricket team is called St Peter’s XI.

Representatives from the Vatican attended the IOC Session prior to last year’s Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang,

Want To Contribute?

So you want to contribute to the Sport Digest? We welcome submissions from the public and alumni alike. Below are links to the information you need to know. Feel free to submit a request for any additional information you may need.